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The Celtics announced that Shaquille O'Neal is on the plane with the team as it heads to New York for Games 3 and 4 of the first round series with the Knicks. The C's lead the series 2-0.

That O'Neal is making the trip could be a sign that he performed well in tests today before the flight. Doc Rivers ruled O'Neal out of tomorrow night's Game 3, but left the door open for a return for Sunday's Game 4.

"If he’s closer to playing, what we’ve done, is if you see him on a trip that means he’s really close," Rivers said yesterday. "Obviously if he goes on the trip, that means we think he’ll play that Sunday."

Rivers refuted a report yesterday that O'Neal was out for the playoffs. Rivers continues to say that he expects O'Neal to return at some point this postseason. The injuries have limited O'Neal to just five minutes of action since Feb. 1.

"He’s had some improvement but I don’t know how much," Rivers said. "I just go by what (trainer) Eddie (Lacerte) and (team doctor Brian) McKeon tell me. They said he’s had some improvement so I’ll relay that onto you guys.”

The most recent news on O'Neal's injured right calf and Achilles tendon had not been promising. O'Neal attempted to workout on Saturday, but was unable to run without pain. After that, the Celtics declared him out for Game 1 and he also missed Game 2.

This news will only continue the speculation about O'Neal's status. The next chance for an update likely won't come until the Celtics shootaround tomorrow morning at Madison Square Garden.